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CIVIC is the only organization solely focused on civilians in armed conflict.
Field Blog
Healing the Wounds Afghanistan | Heal the Wounds: Afghanistan |
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Latest news: Field Blog: CIVIC from the Field: Afghanistan 
The Conflict Afghanistan has suffered from more than three decades of armed conflict. Millions of civilians have fled their homes, and thousands more have been killed or injured. In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban and destroy al-Qaeda's infrastructure. U.S.-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and the Afghan National Army are now waging a counterinsurgency against the Taliban and other militants. Civilian casualties remain a tragic consequence of the violence. The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 2009 as the deadliest year for civilians since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Civilian deaths increased to 2,412, up 14% from 2008. In an attempt to limit civilian casualties, ISAF commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal issued several new tactical directives in 2009 and 2010, to limit the use of air strikes and to conduct more culturally appropriate night raids. The new approach places greater emphasis on protecting Afghan civilians than on killing insurgents. Afghanistan faces many challenges. It remains one of the poorest countries in the world, and the government faces allegations of large-scale corruption. Though the country has received billions of dollars in aid, much of the aid has been criticized as being ineffective and poorly managed. CIVIC's Work In 2009, CIVIC released the groundbreaking report, Losing the People: The Costs and Consequences of Civilian Suffering in Afghanistan, based on a year of on-the-ground research. This is the first report to examine the war's impact on civilians, document existing compensation, support and relief efforts, and provide recommendations to the warring parties on addressing civilian harm. In 2010, CIVIC followed up with Addressing Civilian Harm in Afghanistan: Policies & Practices of International Forces, documenting the compensation policies and practices of major ISAF troop-contributing nations. CIVIC found that no two countries address civilian harm in the same way, leaving Afghans with a confusing, often-disrespectful response to their suffering. CIVIC has participated in high-level meetings at ISAF headquarters in Kabul and at NATO headquarters in Brussels to press for a uniform compensation system among all ISAF contributing nations. CIVIC, with U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, helped create the first-ever U.S. funded program to aid war victims in Afghanistan (the Afghanistan Civilian Assistance Program) and secure millions of dollars for it through the U.S. Congress. CIVIC continues to closely monitor civilian deaths in Afghanistan and any amends they may receive; it advocates among international forces for a uniform compensation system that will see all Afghan victims of war receive the help and recognition they deserve. Civilian Casualties
2009: 2,412 (UNAMA) Displacement
- As of March 31, 2010, more than
240,000 civilians remain internally displaced in Afghanistan as a result of armed conflict. Publications Addressing Civilian Harm in Afghanistan: Policies & Practices of International Forces, published on April 12, 2010 Losing the People: The Costs and Consequences of Civilian Suffering in Afghanistan,published on February 18, 2009 Backgrounder: Afghanistan's War Victims Backgrounder: Condolence Payments Backgrounder: Afghan Civilian Assistance Program CIVIC on Afghanistan Press release: Afghanistan: Lack of Consistency and Coordination Undermine Compensation Efforts, April 12, 2010 McClatchy Newspapers: U.S. Military Aims to Save More Civilian Lives in Afghanistan, April 9, 2010 Christian Science Monitor: Afghanistan war: New rules of engagement don't pit civilians vs. soldiers, March 10, 2010 To hear what civilians are saying in Afghanistan, visit A Voice for Survivors: CIVIC interview of war victims
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 June 2010 ) |
